Apparatus for trimming tires



Dec. 31, 1940. N. G. RAYMoND APPARATUS FOR TRIMMING TIRES Filed sept.14, 1937 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. NORTON G. RAYMOND ATTORNEYS.

Dec. 31, 1940. N. G. RAYMOND API'ARATUS FOR TRIMMING TIRES Filed Sept.14, 1937 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. NORTON G. RAYMOND BY K ATTORNEYS.

Dec. 31, 1940. A N RAYMOND '2,226,742

APPARATUS FOR TRIMMING TIRES Filed sept. 14, 1937 4 sheets-sheet 5 f/ fl i l k (3'7/ N INVENTOR N i NORTON @.RAYMUNL e l I/ BY MKM@ 7 ATTORNEYS.

Dec. 31, 1940. N G, RAYMOND APPARATUS Fon TRIMMING TIRES Filed Sept. 14,1937 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVEN TOR. NORTON G. RAYMOND BY 20u/v6? L4M ATTORN E YS.

Patented Dec. 3l, 1940 lPATENT OFFICE APPARATUS FOR TRIMHING TIRESNorton G.*Raymond, Detroit, Mich., assignor, by mesne assignments, toUnited States Rubber Company, New York, N. Y., a corporation of NewJersey Application September 14, 1937, Serial No. 163,753

11 Claims.

matic tires delivered from a conveyor, to maintain the tires in rotativemotion as they are conveyer in a predetermined path about the verticalaxis of the support while providing opportunity for performing one ormore manual operations thereon, and to eject the tires from themechanism into engagement with a second conveyor system.

In the manufacture and vulcanization of pneumatic tires it is founddesirable to provide vent apertures at certain locations oi' the tiremold to permit escape of gases trapped between the tire surface and themold. These vents are located principally in the region of the tread.When a tire is vulcanized in a vented mold the rubber flows partly intothe vents, with the result that a plurality of projections extend from30 the tread region of the vulcanized tire. In addition to theseprojections, other irregularities such as thin ribbon of rubber,generally referred to as ash, is evidenced on the tire as a result ofimperfect engagement of the mold sections. After the tires arevulcanized and removed from molds it is necessary to remove the ash andprojections from the tires.

Heretofore the conventional method of manipulating tires for thetrimming. operation comprised a manual operation. For example, a tire tobe trimmed was placed into engagement with a pair of rotatable sheaves,and the operator ro- 50. tires resulted in non-uniformity in rate ofproduction, with a consequent deiiciency in the cycle of subsequentoperations.

Among the objects of the present invention is to eliminate manual laboras muchas possible; to

55 accomplish uniformity in the cycle of Kmovement of the tires to andfrom the trimming machine;

to provide an apparatus for automatically receiving and ejecting tiresand for rotating the tires during the trimming operation; and, toprovide means-for accommodating one or more operators 6 for trimming thetires without stopping the flow of tires through the trimming apparatus.

These and other objects and advantages will be more fully understood byconsidering the following description in connection with the accom- 10panying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of an apparatusembodying the invention, partly insection;

. Fig. 2-is an elevational view, in section, taken along the line lI-IIof Fig. 1 and illustrating tires moving into engagement with themachine;

Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic view of means for feeding tires to the trimmingposition of the apparatus; Y

Fig. 4 is a horizontal view, in section, of a tire support, taken alongline IV-IV of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a plan view of a valve and cam mechanism for controlling thetire feeding device;

Fig. 6 is an elevational view of mechanism for 25 discharging tires fromthe machine;

Fig. '1 is a vertical sectional view of tire discharging cam, takenalong -line VII- VII of Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a vertical view, in section, of a discharging conveyor, takenalong line VH1-VIII of so Fig. 6; and

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of a portion of a tire before it hasbeentrimmed.

Referring to the drawings, and in particular to Figs. 1 and 2, theapparatus'comprises a rotatable circular frame i, comprising a table 2having a downwardly extending hub 3 journaled in a bearing 4. Thebearing 4 retains'the frame lagainst lateral movement, but does notprovide a bearing for downward thrust of the weight of the mao chine,this weight being supported by a` plurality of bearings 5` which carryrollers 6. The rollers 6 engage with a track 1 rigidly connected to thelower side of the table 2, `thus being an integral part of the table 2.The track [consists of a washer-like member concentrically disposedrelative to the hub 3 and retained in spaced parallel relationship withthe table 2 by means of a pair of concentrically disposed bands 8 and.9, respectively, secured to the tableA 2 and track 1. 50

The table 2 may be rotated about the hub 3 in any convenient manner, asby an electric motor `l0 vconnected to atrack or pulley Il extendingfrom the under side ofthe table, through a chain i2, conventional speedreduction unit I3, pinion 55 I4, and chain I3. The chain Il frictionallyengages-the track Il, and a pair of idler sprockets I9 and I1 permitproper tensioning of the chain.

At substantially `the same height as the table 2 s is a circularplatform Il resting on supports Il,

for providing room for workmento move past each other while operatingthe machine.

Mounted on the circular frame I is a plurality of sub-frames 29 (Figs. 1and 2), each of which l includes a triangular member comprisinghoriaantal side bars 2| connected 'at their converging end 22, whiletheir opposite ends are couinected to a spacer member 23. The triangularmember ls supported on the table 2 and spaced l5 therefrom by means ofposts'24, 25, and 23, as

,shown in Fig. 2. It is .to be understood that since the several unitsare duplicates, as are the mechanisms carried thereby, a description ofa single unit is applicable to all.

As shown in Fig. 1, twelve sub-frames 28 are disposed about the centralaxisof .the table 2, although any number might be employed withvin thescope 'of the invention. VThe sub-frames 29 are so arranged relative tothe axis as to pro'- videA a series of stalls between which tiremanipulating means may be disposed.

Positioned at a convenient height for an opera.-l

tor is a plurality of spools 21 and 28. 'I he spool 21 is rigidlymounted on a shaft 29, the ends of which are journaled in bearings 3land 3l secured to the posts 24 and A25, respectively, while the spool 28is rigidly mounted on ashaft 32 journaled in bearings 33 and 34supported by the posts 2i of adjacent sub-frames. Y 35 In order that.the spools may be positively connected for rotationat the same speed, Iprovide a'connection therebetween, comprising sprocket wheel 35 rigidlymounted on the shaft 29 between the bearing 3l and sheave 21, anddriving the 40 sprocket 36 rigidly mounted on shaft 32 through chain 31.A motor 38 drives sprocket 39 also rigidly secured to shaft 29 throughcomparatively small sprocket pinion 49 of the motor 38, and' chain 4I.Thus, the two spools 21 and 28, being positively connected to eachother, arerotated in unison from the same source of power.

The sub-frames 20 are surmounted by a cen-f tral superstructure 42 (Fig.2) comprising a plurality of L-shaped members 43 circularly disposedabout the vertical axis of the machine and i connected at their bases tothe ltops of the subframes in rigid `relationship to eachother. A series.of buffer plates 44 against which the tops of the L'shaped members abutserve as links to connect the individual posts rigidly. The parts arefastened to each other, as by welding.

Mounted on thes'uperstructure 42 isa plu- -rality of guide mechanisms 45(Fig. 2) ,'(each comprising an arm 46 mounted to rotate about a no pivot41 of bearing 49 connected to a vertical member 43 of thesuperstructure.` Near lthe free end of the arm 46 oneither side thereofand in axial ,alignment are mounted two sections of a sheave 49 whichare free to rotate about the shaft 41 but limited in upward travel bythe bufferA plate' 44. A shoulder 50 on the arm 46 is adapted' to engage`a buffer 5| for limiting the guide 45 in its downward travel. The guidemechanisms 45 are centrally disposed relative to y the sides of adjacentsub-frames sothat the oscillatory movement4 of the guide sheaves isthrough a vertical plane midwayv therebetween; By this construction anddisposition of parts it will be understood that a tire resting on spools21 and 28, and held in this position b y the weightoftheguidemechanmwillbesodlsposedthat the axis of thetire will besubstantially horizontal, and will rotate with the lower drive sheaves.and that tires `within a range of diameters may vbe effectivelyaccommodated on such a rotatable 5 support.

In the process Vof tire manufacture it is common practice .to conveytires from oney point in a factory Vto another by mechanical or gravityconveyormeans, and it is in conjunction with 10 such a device that myinvention is-intended to be operated. In Figs. 1 and 2 is shownmechanism forming -a part of my invention in relation .to a factoryconveyor system 92 wherein an inclined trough having a base I3 and sidesI4 15 formsa track down which tires roll from some other part of afactory.v The tires are held in a substantially horizontal axial planeby a series of rollers 53 supported in bearing rails Il and l1 at theirupper and lower ends; respectively. The 0 I rails and trough are fixedand held in position by l'which secures the ends ofthe bearing rails andaffords support for parts later to be described. One side of theconveyor only is illustrated in Fig. 2, but it will be apparentfrom Pig.1 thatan opposing, duplicate side is fastened to the .one iirstdescribed Vby means of L-shaped cross-beams, as o 'depicted at 94, 99,and Il (Figs. 1 and 2).

As a tire rolls down thebase ol' the chute it is halted by a mechanismcomprising a. yoke including l arms '61 and I3 pivoted on a bearingshaft 69 and having mounted at its extremities a 35 plurality of rollers1I free toturn readily about their axes 1I and adapted to engage a tire.Integral with this yoke isia lug 12 which is connected to alever 13, byalink 14, and adapted to swing the yoke about the fulcrum I9 from one ex-40 treme position to another, as indicated by dot and dash lines andfull lines in Fig. 3.

Rigidly secured to the lower side of the table 2 is a plurality of cams1I comprising flat strips of metal assuming crown portions 1I and side45 portions extending acutely relative to .the table 2. The cams arespaced' on an arc about the axis of the machine t`o provide ydwellperiods between the cams at regular, predetermined intervals duringrotation of the table 2 relative to a cam fol- 50 lower 11. The .crownportions of the cams." are so positioned that the central portion,thereof is in a vertical plane centrally of the space between adjacentsub-frames 20, and so disposed as to engage the cani vfollower 11rotatably mounted at 55 the end of lever 13. When in normal position,

as shown ln Figs. Zand 3, the follower rides on the crown of the cam andthe arm 33 of the yoke member prevents tires from the chute I2 passingtherebeyond. Ihe follower i 1, through spring 1l, 60

is in constant engagement with cam surfaces 15 during rotatlon of theframe As the cam ro tates and the follower moves .down an inclinedsurface thereof, rotation of the lever` 13 about its fulcrum 19 throughlink 14 causes clockwise in- 55 crements of rotation of the arm 93,'thereupon the tire rollsto a cradle mechanism hereinafter 'described.

tend in an upward and outward direction relative.

rod 06 pinned to the cradle arm at 81. The cylinder 84 is pinned at apivot point 88 on the crossmember 64 of the frame for supporting theconveyor chute 52. Fluid under pressure ls conveyed to the cylinder 84through flexible conduits 89 and 90, the flow of which is controlled bya conventional valve 9|. table and protruding beyond the peripherythereof (Fig. l) is a plurality of similarly shaped cams 92, a unit ofwhich (Fig. 5) comprises a uniformly high surface 98 terminating at asloping surface 94 which, in turn, terminates at the periphery of thetable to afford a gentle rise for the follower 95. while its reartrailing end terminates abruptly to cause sudden drop of the camfollower. As the table rotates and a pair ofspools are brought in linewith the conveyor 52, a cam 92 (Fig. 5) engages the follower 95, causinglever 96 to rock about a fulcrum 91 against the force of a tensionspring 98, opening the valve 9| and allowing iiuidunder pressure to rockthe cradle 80 from the position of rest to its extreme dischargeposition, as shown in Fig. 3. The operation of cradle 80 serves topositively transfer the tire to the aligned spools 21 and 28.

In order that -the machine may eject a tire after trimming, I providesuitable means for moving the tire out of engagement with the rotativecentral mechanism, so that it can proceedto some other point in thefactory. As rotation vof the table causes consecutive engagement of thedischarge units 99 (Fig. 6) by a cam |00 carried by the discharge chute,each unit is actuated independently of each other. The dischargecam |00(Figs. 6 and '7) is mounted on the frame of a discharge chute |0I. Thisframe comprises a series of upright members |02, |08, and |04-to getherwith horizontal rails |05, for carrying the cam |00 at the ends thereof,and these members are rigidly spaced relative to each other by spacebars |08. An inclined trough 4|01 having sides |08 (Fig. 8) and bottomI09to receive a tire is supported by the space bars |06. A pair of toprails ||0 is adapted to engage the sides of a tire and maintain it insubstantially vertical position.

The structure is further braced by a p'air of inclined members A Mountedon a bea-ring shaft ||2 (Fig. 6) connected to the posts 24 and 25 bybearings ||3 (Fig. 2) is a lever I |4 carrying on either side of itsfree extremity and on the same axis two sections of sheave ||5 which arefree to turn on their axes IIB andadapted to engage the tread of a tire.The lever I|4 is connected to a bell crank lever I I1 by a link I I8,the lower end of which normally cam follower |20 in engagement with thesurface of thecam |00 as rotation of the table causes the followers ofindividual discharge mechanisms to engage the cam |00.V The furtheroperation of this mechanism is hereafter described.

Electric power for operation of the motors 38 is conveyed from anyconvenient source of supply through brushes |2| and |22 (Fig. 2),respectively, in engagement with rings |23 and |24 Just below the edgeof the mounted on a conduit |25.A The conduit |25 is rigidly securedtothe superstructure 42 at the vertical axis of the table 2. The upperextremity thereof is pivoted at a ceiling support |26.

Operation In the operation of the tire manipulating chine of myinvention it may be assumed that at the start of operation movement of atire down the incline 52 has been arrested and temporarily maintained bythe stop arm 68, as shown by thel dot and dash lines in Fig. 3. As thetable 2 continues to rotate, the crown portion of the cam 15 passes outof engagement with the follower",

cradle cam 92. As rotation of th table 2 is con.

tinued, the valve 9| is actuated and the piston rod 86 is movedoutwardly, thus rocking the cradle in clockwise'direction about itsfulcrum 83, as shown in Fig. 5, causing a tire therein to move intoposition on the trimming sheaves 21 and 28. In this movement suflicientforce is applied to the tire to overcome the weight of the guidemechanism 45 when assisted by rotation of spool 21. The cradlemechanism, having now come to rest, is ready for another cycle ofoperation. 4

In Fig. 9 is shown a tire |21 having formations `|28 and |29 protrudingfrom the tread of a tire after vulcanization in a conventional mold. Theformations |28 usually take the form of a ribbon ,o f'rubber resultingfrom imperfect closure of the mold sections, and the projections 29result from air vents in the mold.

In order that the -projecting formations may be removed by the aid ofthepresent invention, workmen are stationed around the outside of themachine, either Aon`the stationary platform I8 where tires to be trimmedare moved past them,

l or on the edge of the table 2 as is operator |24.

. Here he may complete the desired operation on a tire while beingcarried around by rotation of the table about its axis. He may then stepback on -the platform I8 to retumto his starting point,

without interfering with other operators on the platform. As tires areplaced in contact with the |00 engages the follower |20, whichindirectly` raises the sheave I I5 and the tire immediately above it.When the tire is moved to a point substantially to the left of avertical plane of the axis of the spool 21 it is free to move byforce ofits own weight toward the discharge chute |0I. Thereafter, the unit isin readiness for receiving another tire in a similar cycle of operation.

While I have shown a preferred embodiment of the invention and method ofpracticing it, it will lbe obvious that it is susceptible ofmodifications and it is intended to include those modifications whichare within the spirit of the invention and the scope of the appendedclaims. y

Having thus described my-invention, -what I claim and desire to protectby Letters Patentis: LA tire manipulating mechanism comprising ahorizontally disposed circular platform, means for moving the platform,about its vertical central axis, a plurality of tire supports carriedby the platform and adapted to engage the periphery of `a verticallypositionedtire, and means for rotating the supports to thereby rotatethe tire about a horizontal axis. l 2. A tire manipulating mechanismcomprising a horizontally disposed circular platform, means forrotatingthe platform about its vertical central axis,l a plurality oftire supports carried by the platform and adapted to engage theperiphery of a tire for rotating it, means for rotating the supports tothereby rotate the tire, and guiding means for rotatably maintaining thetire in a horizontal axis while in cooperative relation with thesupports. y l

3. A tire manipulating mechanism comprising a horizontally disposedcircular platform, means for moving the platform horizontally about itsr center, a plurality of tire supports carried by the platform andadapted to engage the periphery of a vertically positioned tire, meansfor rotatmg the supports and said tire, a conveyor, and means operableby the`horizontal movement of the platform for transferring tires fromthe conveyor to the tire supports. I

4. A tire manipulating mechanism comprising a rotatable circularplatform, means for rotating the platform, a plurality'of pivotallymounted tire supports carried by the platform and adapted to engage theperiphery of a tire, means for rotating the supports, the axes of saidsupports being disposed substantially at right angles relative to theaxis of the platform, a conveyor, a cradle, means operable by theplatform for transferring tires from the conveyor to .the` cradle, andaddi- 40 tional means operable by the platform for transferring tiresfrom the cradleto the tire supports. 5. Artire manipulating'mechanismcomprising a circular platform, means for movingA the platformhorizontally, a tire support carried by the platform and adapted "toengage the periphery of a vertically disposed tire, means for rotatingthe support to thereby rotate a tire, a discharge coniveyor, and meanscomprising rotatable means cooperating between the discharge conveyorand the platform for transferring a rotating tire from the support tothe discharge conveyor.

6. A tiremanipulating mechanism comprising a circular platform, meansfor. rotating the plat- Y form, a plurality of tire supports radiallyposi- 'tioned upon and carried by @the platform and each adapted, toengage the periphery of a vertically disposed tire, means for rotatingthe supports, a'conveyor, means operable by the platform fortransferring tires from the conveyor to the tire supports, a dischargeconveyor, and means cooperable between the discharge conveyor and theplatform for transferring tires from the sup- Y ports to the dischargeconveyor.

7. A tire manipulating mechanism comprising a circular platform, meansfor moving the platform, a plurality of tire supports carried by theplatformV and each adapted to engage the periphery of a tire, means forrotating the supports, a conveyor, a cradle. means operable byl theplatform for transferring tires from the conveyor to .the cradle,additional means operable bythe platform for transfer"- g tires from thecradle to thel tire supports, \scharge conveyor, and means cooperablebetwe \\the discharge conveyor and the platform for transferring tiresfrom the supports to the discharge conveyor.

8. A tire manipulating mechanism comprising a circular platform, meansfor moving the platform, a plurality of rotatable grooved tire supportscarried by the platform and each adapted to engage the periphery of atire and center the tire for substantially true vertical rotationalmovement, means for rotating the Supports, a conveyona plurality of camsin spaced relation around the platform, and means cooperable with thecams for transferring `tires from the conveyor to the supports. l

9. A tire manipulating mechanism comprising a circular platform, meansfor rotating the platform in a horizontal plane, a plurality of tiresupports carried by the platform and each adapted to engage theperiphery of a vertically disposed tire, means for rotating thesupports, a conveyor, a cradle, a plurality of cams in spaced relationaround the platform, means cooperable with the cams fortransferring'vertically disposed ltires from the conveyor to the cradle,and additional means operable by the platform for transferring saidtires fromcthe cradle to the horizontally moving tire supports.

10. A tiremanipulatinmechanism comprising acircular platform, meansformoving the platform about its central perpendicular axis, a plurality oftire supports carried by the platform and each adapted Ato, engage theperiphery of a tire, means for rotating the supports upon axessubstantially at right angles relative the axis of said platform, aconveyor, a plurali of cams in spaced relation `around the platfo meanscooperable with the `cams for' transferring tires" from the conveyor tothe supports. a discharge conveyor, and means cooperable between thedischarge conveyor and the platform for transferring tires from thesupports toy the discharge conveyor. 1

11. A tire 4manipulating mechanism comprising a horizontally rotatablecircular platform, means for rotating the platform, a plurality of tiresupports carried by the platform and each adapted to engage theperiphery of a vertically disposed tire, means for rotating the supportsto thereby rotate said tire, a conveyor, a cradle, a plurality of camsin spaced relation around the platform. means cooperable with the camsfor transferring tires from theconveyor to the cradle, additionalmeans'operable by the platform for transferring tires from the cradle tovertical positions upon the tire supports, la. discharge conveyor, andmeans cooperable between the discharge conveyor and the platform fortransferring tires from the,

